MUST READ
Highly-anticipated books of the month:
We Do Not Part
We Do Not Part, the haunting and visionary new novel from 2024 Nobel Prize winner Han Kang, takes readers on a journey from contemporary South Korea to its painful past. The novel follows Kyungha as she travels from Seoul to Jeju Island to care for her hospitalized friend Inseon’s pet bird. Battling a fierce snowstorm, Kyungha’s journey becomes a metaphor for the descent into a dark history.
Great Eastern Hotel
Set against the backdrop of Calcutta in August 1941, Great Eastern Hotel weaves together the lives of diverse characters at the city’s grandest hotel just before the world unravels. As Rabindranath Tagore’s death halts the city, we meet Nirupama, a passionate history student and Communist volunteer; Imogen, an Englishwoman caught in the Raj's shadow; Kedar, an aspiring painter; and Gopal, a young pickpocket thrust into a dangerous world. Their paths cross with an American jazz-playing soldier, a genius French chef, a European heiress on the run, and military officers involved in covert operations. Ruchir Joshi’s richly layered novel captures this fleeting moment in time, offering a provocative exploration of political commitment, nationalism, love, and art—raising powerful questions that resonate today.
Students Etched in Memory
Students Etched in Memory is a poignant collection of forty essays by Perumal Murugan, translated by V. Iswarya. Known for his acclaimed novels, Murugan here shifts focus to his role as a teacher and mentor, offering intimate portraits of college students from small-town Tamil Nadu. With empathy and insight, he explores the complexities of youth, where education is not just academic, but a journey of self-discovery. Through these essays, Murugan delves into the challenges students face—family pressures, class, caste, and the clash between tradition and modernity—while holding onto the hope that education can lead to change and personal transformation.
Three Days in June
In this funny, touching, and hopeful tale, Anne Tyler explores love, marriage, and second chances. The day before her daughter’s wedding, Gail Baines finds herself in the midst of a series of unexpected events. As tensions rise and old dynamics resurface, Gail and Max are forced to navigate their past. Happiness takes many forms, and sometimes it’s the younger generation that has the most to teach about love, acceptance, and embracing life’s imperfections.
How India Loves: Love Stories from the World’s Largest Democracy
From the mansions of South Bombay to the powerful families of New Delhi, from conservative circles to the liberal elite, journalist Rituparna Chatterjee’s journey unfolds through the untold stories of lust, love, pain, and loss. How India Loves captures four years of these deeply personal tales—stories of rage, abandonment, and the loneliness that persists even within love—revealing the raw truths beneath the charades and rituals of Indian society.
MUST WATCH
Highly-anticipated movies and shows releasing soon:
Companion
Companion is an American horror film that takes a darkly satirical look at 21st-century romance. The story follows a weekend getaway that descends into chaos when one of the guests is revealed to be a robot. Starring Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid, and written and directed by Drew Hancock, the film delves into themes of greed, power, control, and manipulation, exploring how these elements shape relationships and human interactions in unsettling ways. Coming to cinemas on 1st February.
Anora
The award-winning film is finally hitting Indian theatres on 21st February. Anora, a young woman from Brooklyn, finds herself living a real-life Cinderella story when she meets and marries the son of a powerful oligarch. But when the news spreads to Russia, her fairytale begins to unravel as his parents travel to New York, determined to have the marriage annulled.
The Brutalist
Adrien Brody returns to the screen as a gifted architect who escapes the horrors of the Holocaust, only to encounter a ruthless, power-driven industrialist, portrayed by Guy Pearce, in America. With themes rooted in the immigrant experience, this film not only experiments with its narrative structure but also delves into the exploitation of art, highlighting the tension between function and artistic expression. The film releases in Indian theatres on 28th February.
Chhaava
Chhaava historical action film set to release on 14th February 2025, based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The film chronicles Sambhaji’s courageous journey, his sacrifices for the Maratha empire, and his lasting legacy. Starring Vicky Kaushal in the lead role as Chhatrapati Sambhaji, with Rashmika Mandanna portraying Yesubai Bhonsale, his wife, Chhaava promises to be an epic tale of valor, duty, and the indomitable spirit of a warrior king.
Superboys of Malegaon
Superboys of Malegaon, directed by Reema Kagti, is inspired by the life of Nasir Shaikh and other amateur filmmakers from Malegaon, India. The film draws inspiration from the 2008 documentary Supermen of Malegaon. It premiered in the Gala section at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on September 13, 2024, and is slated for a theatrical release on February 28, 2025.
Babygirl
Babygirl is an American erotic thriller written, directed, and produced by Halina Reijn. The film stars Nicole Kidman as a successful CEO who risks her career and family when she embarks on an affair with a much younger intern, played by Harris Dickinson. Sophie Wilde and Antonio Banderas also feature in the film. The film is hitting the theatres on 28th February.
MUST LISTEN
Music albums to tune into:
Beautiful Woman
Sarah Klang's upcoming album Beautiful Woman, set to drop on February 7, 2025, explores the multifaceted nature of womanhood with depth and honesty. With tracks that touch on everything from early 2000s pop culture and body image in Other Girls, to a richer, live-recorded sound that captures her evolving artistry, Klang's latest work speaks to both the personal and the universal. Teaming up with celebrated producer Eric D. Johnson and a talented group of musicians, the album radiates a raw, heartfelt energy that invites listeners into an intimate, emotional experience.
Automatic
Alt-folk duo The Lumineers have revealed the release date for their highly anticipated fifth studio album, Automatic, set to drop on February 14 via Dualtone. The Denver-based band, consisting of singer/guitarist Wesley Schultz and drummer Jeremiah Fraites, previewed the album with the release of its upbeat first single, Same Old Song. This marks the follow-up to their 2022 album Brightside.
People Watching
People Watching is the third studio album by English musician Sam Fender, set for release on February 21, 2025, through Polydor Records. Fender describes the album as an exploration of ‘colourful stories and observations of everyday characters living their ordinary, yet often extraordinary, lives.’
Off With Her Head
Banks has unveiled details of her upcoming album, Off With Her Head, slated for release on February 28. This marks the singer-songwriter's fifth studio album, following her 2022 release Serpentina, which NME hailed as an ‘innovative and resilient reintroduction, featuring bold new sounds.’ The new full-length will include the previously shared track 'I Hate Your Ex-Girlfriend' ft. Doechii, is being previewed by the new lead single 'Best Friends.’
Alter Ego by Lisa
Alter Ego is the highly anticipated debut solo album by Thai rapper and singer Lisa, set to drop on February 28, 2025, via Lloud and RCA Records. This marks her first solo release since parting ways with YG Entertainment and Interscope Records in 2023. Fans are buzzing with excitement, speculating that the album will feature a collaboration with Doja Cat and Raye. Given their bold and unapologetic personas, the trio’s collaboration is expected to deliver a fierce, empowering anthem.
MUST ATTEND
Events that you should attend:
India Art Fair 2025
The India Art Fair Delhi stands as the most significant event in India’s cultural calendar. Its 16th edition, taking place from 6th - 9th February, features a record 116 leading galleries and institutions, showcasing works by some of the world’s most iconic artists. In addition, the fair offers a diverse program of talks, workshops, and artist projects, including film screenings and live performances, solidifying its status as the premier destination for South Asian creativity.
India Design ID 2025
After 12 successful years, India Design ID returns for its 13th edition, bringing the country’s premier design week to New Delhi. Showcasing a curated collection of bespoke furniture, lighting, furnishings, decor, collectibles, and luxurious interior solutions, it remains India’s leading platform for all things design. The event will take place from February 20-23, 2025, at the NSIC Grounds in Okhla, celebrating the brilliance of design innovation, community, and creativity.
Homegrown Festival
The Homegrown Festival is a culture and lifestyle event in India that redefines contemporary Indian culture and identity. Over two days from February 22-23, the festival will offer an exciting lineup that includes 6 talks, 6 workshops, 10+ performances, 4+ exhibitions, 30+ brands, 10+ launches, and much more. The festival will blend music, art and design, fashion, film, street culture, food and beverage, exhibitions, discussions, and workshops, creating an immersive experience at the intersection of diverse creative worlds.
KNMA in the Park
The Kiran Nadar Museum of Art presents KNMA in the Park, an exciting evening of performances on February 23, 2025, at 6:00 PM at Sunder Nursery. The evening will feature Mansa Jimmy performing soulful Retro, Bollywood, and Sufi songs, followed by the Delhi premiere of BeatRoute, a dynamic percussion ensemble by Ranjit Barot and Roysten Abel. The performance blends traditional folk rhythms with electronic music, using instruments like the Mizhavu, Chenda, and Dholl, creating a unique soundscape that spans Rajasthan’s deserts and Kerala’s greenery. It’s an unforgettable celebration of music and culture.
The Wench Film Festival
The Wench Film Festival is back and bigger than ever, celebrating its 5th edition from February 27 to March 2, 2025! As India’s premier event for horror, sci-fi, and fantasy cinema, this year promises an exciting lineup of 42 films, including 5 World Premieres and 30 Asia Premieres. On March 1st, we'll spotlight Indian talent with 5 outstanding films and engaging Q&A sessions with the directors. Plus, the festival will feature a series of epic Masterclasses to dive deep into the craft of genre filmmaking. Don't miss out on this unforgettable cinematic journey through new worlds of imagination and creativity!
Sustaina India
After the successful first edition in 2024, Sustaina India is pleased to announce the second edition of Sustaina India Fellowships for Collective Climate Action in February 2025. The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) and the renowned artist duo Thukral & Tagra join forces to present this second edition of Sustaina India — a unique platform where science meets art to inspire collective climate action. The second edition of Sustaina India will be unveiled on 1st February and will be on view in till 16th February at STIR Art Gallery, New Delhi. The exhibition will showcase projects of several emerging and established artists, including three Sustaina India Fellows.
Words Platform Desk
Date 30.01.2025